Clarkson leads Missouri in 78-67 comeback win over Northwestern

Missouri forward Ryan Rosburg is fouled by Northwestern forward Nikola Cerina in the first half of the Las Vegas Invitational NCAA college basketball tournament on Thursday, Nov. 28, 2013, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Ronda Churchill) (The Associated Press)

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Missouri guard Earnest Ross dunks the ball in the first half of a game against Northwestern during the Las Vegas Invitational NCAA college basketball tournament Thursday, Nov. 28, 2013, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Ronda Churchill) (The Associated Press)

LAS VEGAS – Jordan Clarkson scored 13 of his 21 points in the second half to lead Missouri to a 78-67 win over Northwestern in Thursday night's opening round of the Las Vegas Invitational.

The Tigers scored the first 14 points of the second half to erase a five-point halftime deficit and take a 48-39 lead at the 15:10 mark and never looked back.

After Northwestern's second-half drought was ended by JerShon Cobb, who scored a game-high 22 points, the Tigers extended their lead to 13, when Jabari Brown hit a 3-pointer to give them a 54-41 advantage.

Missouri went from shooting 0-for-7 from the three-point line in the first 20 minutes to shooting 4-of-7 in the second half.

Also scoring in double figures for Missouri was Brown with 15 and Johnathan Williams and Ryan Rosburg, with 14 each.

Tre Demps and Nathan Taphorn each scored 11 for the Wildcats.